Jewish Heritage Europe

Jewish Cemetery Clean-ups — Round-up #4. Dozens more initiatives. Episodes of vandalism prompt legitimate outrage and widespread condemnation, but the many, many more instances of volunteers cleaning, restoring, and maintaining Jewish cemeteries are often overlooked

We can’t stress enough the importance of this post. Episodes of vandalism at Jewish cemeteries prompt legitimate outrage and widespread condemnation, but the many, many more instances of volunteers and others cleaning, restoring, and maintaining Jewish cemeteries are rarely noted. … continue reading →

Latvia: former Sabile synagogue reopens after revamp as an expanded arts, culture, and tourism center that forms part of an EU- and state-funded regional and national heritage network

(JHE) — The former synagogue in Sabile, Latvia, used already for years as a culture center,  has reopened to the public as the revamped and expanded  “Sabile Art, Culture and Tourism Center,” that forms part of a EU- and state-funded … continue reading →

With COVID-19 restrictions easing, Jewish museums and heritage sites are cautiously reopening. Here’s what we know so far — let us know of others!

Welcome back! With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in some countries, Jewish museums and other Jewish heritage sites are also beginning  to reopen, with social distancing and other hygienic measures in place. Many events are still cancelled or postponed — … continue reading →

Synagogues: new open access publication of special “Arts” journal issue on Synagogue Art and Architecture

A special issue of the journal Arts devoted to Synagogue Art and Architecture — is now freely available online via open access. It includes 10 articles devoted to various aspects of the topic, from architecture to decoration to current use. … continue reading →

Detailed article by Sergey R. Kravtsov on 20th century synagogue architecture in Latvia

Architectural historian Sergey R. Kravstov, of the Center for Jewish Art in Jerusalem, has published a detailed and freely available new article on 20th century synagogue architecture in Latvia — and how the architects of interwar synagogues there found inspiration … continue reading →